GUEST SPEAKERS

Berry has a long history of distinguished guest speakers who have discussed important topics related to Christian faith and learning. Some notable speakers from our past have included Martin Marty, Gerald McDermott, Peter Marshall, Alvin Plantiga, Michael Novak, Tony Dungy, and Ben Carson.

It is the pleasure of the Chaplain’s Office to host guest speakers each semester who provide stimulating lectures and discussions on matters of faith and higher learning. These speakers come from a variety of backgrounds and speak on a variety of topics. Each guest brings together the student body,
faculty, and the Rome community for an enriching learning experience. Below is a list of speakers for this academic year. Coming soon, visitors will be able to hear recordings of these excellent lectures. Be sure to visit frequently to get updates on the latest guests and topics.

Guest Speakers 2016-17

Sarah Bessey (January 30, 2017)

Sarah Bessey is an Author, award-winning blogger and speaker. Her first book Jesus Feminist: An Invitation To Revisit The Bible’s View Of Women (Howard Books, 2013) is a critically acclaimed work that is written with poetic rhythm, a prophetic voice and a deeply biblical foundation.

If you were to ask Sarah who she is, she would probably say, “I am one of those happy-clappy Jesus followers with stars in her eyes. I’m an uneasy pacifist, a Kingdom of God focused woman, postmodern, liberal to the conservative and conservative to the liberal in matters of both religion and
politics, a social justice wanna-be trying to do some good, and a nondenominational charismatic recovering know-it-all slowly falling back in love with the Church.”

In addition to writing books and her blog, Sarah is also an editor for A Deeper Story and a monthly contributor at SheLoves Magazine. Her work has also appeared in Conversations Journal, ChurchLeaders.com, Her.meneutics (Christianity today’s Blog for Women), Converge Magazine, Relevant
Magazine, Today’s Christian Woman and a handful of other places.

Sarah Byers (April 3, 2017)

Sarah Catherine Byers is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Boston College. She has held research fellowships at the University of Notre Dame, the Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies in Toronto and Villanova University. Her articles have appeared in the Journal
of the History of Philosophy, the Review of Metaphysics, Augustinian Studies, A Companion to Augustine (2012) and Augustine's City of God (2013).